astu4150

University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignAna 1Vl. LopezASTU 4150

The New Advanced Metalsmithing & Jewelry Studio

Starting in the fall of 2011, instruction in ASTU 4150 will concentrate on professional practicepreparation. Students are expected to produce roughly the equivalent amount of work as theyhave done in previous semesters, but what they make is up to them. It is the expectation thatstudents will use this opportunity to produce a cohesive body of work that will help launch theircareers in metalsmithing. This may be a portfolio of artistic metalwork, a selection of object-types that the student could conceivably produce for commissions, or salable multiples.

In the first week of the semester all students are expected to produce a typewritten documentoutlining their goals and intentions for the semester as well as a calendar of due dates thattakes into consideration the demonstration schedule for the semester. This will serve as acontractual agreement for the semester and must be agreed to and signed off on by the facultymember teaching the class. Shortly thereafter students will give a v~al presentation on thestarting point of their research.

There will be group critiques throU9hou<esemester. Every student will be required to presenthis or her work to that/point whether in progress of completed. Statements of intent shouldreflect anticipated progress for each of these meeting times.

Student will be required to maintain a process notebook/sketchbook that is dedicated to thisclass. All students will spend at least 10 active, productive hours a week or more on work forthis class.

Part of being an active member of the metalsmithing & jewelry field is keeping track of what elseis going on. Be it through blogs, magazines, exhibitions or social networking, you need to be aparticipant. If you are working in a vacuum, it is likely that your work will become irrelevant orderivative.

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignAna 1V1. LopezASTU 4150

Primary Areas of Emphasis

The following are the three main areas of studio practice within the professional world of jewelryand metalsmithing. Successful professionals generally work primarily within one of these areas.In choosing an emphasis, ask yourself:

• Who am I making it for?• Why am I making it?• What is the importance of the material or process for me?• How am , going to support myself after college?

Emphasis 1: ConceptualDevelop a concept by doing research, both visual and literary.

• Seek out examples of similar work.• Determine a cohesive idea, theme or thesis (hint: write the concept down as a single

sentence and tape it to your toolbox or sketchbook)• Make sure that all the formal decisions about the piece reflect the centrality of the concept.

Be aware of the context of your work in contemporary and historical metalworking or jewelry.

Emphasis 2: Process and/or Product• Develop a body of work based on a formal inquiry such as function, historical forms or

processes. ,• Metalsmiths and jewelers whose work falls into this area typically work for clients on

commission, but do need to produce some speculative pieces in order to demonstrate theirskill.It will be necessary to produce drawings and maquettes with which to communicate to anaudience about design work being proposed.

• An understanding of historical forms and styles is especially useful as reproduction workfrequently depends on this.

• It may be useful to imagine potential clientele, whether individual or corporate.• What is the end use and or professional application of a technical inquiry?

Emphasis 3: Multiple Production• Develop a line or lines of work that may be produced for sale to the public at a profit.e Students choosing this track must pay close attention to their time, cost of materials and

overhead expenses.• They must do market research to determine what their niche is, what their price points will

be, to whom they are marketing and in what kinds of venues their work might be sold.• Track 3 students will also be expected to produce a business plan and receive consultation

from the entrepreneurship program about launching a business after graduation.• Participation in a juried group sales situation such as a craft show may be negotiated in lieu

of a senior exhibition with some stipulations.

University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignAna M. LopezASTU 4150

Professional PreparationAt the start of the semester the faculty member will provide a schedule of in-classdemonstrations and discussions. Professional practices being addressed by faculty will includethe following:

• photography• basic photos hop" resume writing••approaching galleries". craft show practices•• interviews• shipping••contracts••awareness of professional societies, niche groups and publications• web site production and maintenanceOJ career paths available.• taxes, finance and law• application to exhibitions• artist statement" basic entrepreneurship

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignHarlan W. ButtASTU 4150

Sample Semester Proposal: Emphasis #1Artistic Metalwork

Sample Statement of IntentI am interested in focusing on expressing my own artistic vision through the vehicle of jewelrymaking. In the process I want to explore where my work and my ideas fit into the jewelry artform historically and culturally. I will examine my concepts, inspirations and motivations andattempt to make connections with other artists and metalsmiths, past and present. I will definewhat it is I'm trying to communicate with my work and why that is important and document thatin an intelligent and articulate artist's statement.

I will produce a body of work that represents my ideas and communicates my personal interestsor concerns or which explores a preconceived, consistent line of experimentation ordevelopment while demonstrating my skill and technical abilities in metalworking.

I realize that the clarity and maturity of my work is critical to my success and I will attempt topresent myself as an artist in a knowledgeable and professional manner.Determination of related professional societies and groups that it would be most beneficial tojoin

Week 1:• Course Introduction: discussion of track choices• Write an Artist's Statement which includes conceptual intent, thesis or theme• Find a quotation by someone famous that resonates with you

Week 2• Research Metalsmiths with related work•• Research historical metalwork which relates to your work• Drawings and maquettes for first project reviewed with instructor

Week 3 (minimum 30 hours of work completed)• Write a resume including an exhibition record• Photographing work discussed• Packing and shipping work discussed

Week 4

• Approaching a gallery• Gallery contracts•• Mock gallery submission and interview

Weeks 5• Critique of body of work with artist's statement and research• Revise Artist's Statement

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignHarlan W. ButtASTU 4150

Week 6 (minimum 60 hours of work completed)• Critique of digital images of completed work• Submission to an exhibition outside the Metroplex (or a locally held national show)• Drawings and maquettes for second project reviewed with instructor

Weeks 7• Small business practices• Presentation materials (announcement cards, business cards, websites)

Week 8• SNAG and other metals organizations• Online networking possibilities

Week 9 (minimum 90 hours of work completed)• Publication submissions• Graduate school and other teaching opportunities

Weeks 10• Critique of body of work along with artist's statement and research

• Revise Artist's StatementWeek 11

• Sales and selling• Pricing

Week 12 (minimum 120 hours of work completed)

• Craft fairs and markets• Booths and craft fair presentation

Week 13• Work documentation• Studio setups and equipment

Week 14

• What now?Week 15 (minimum 150 hours of work completed)

• Final Critique of semester's work

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignAna f\7I. LopezASTU 4150

Sample Semester Proposal: Emphasis #2ProcesslProduct

Sample Statement of IntentI am interested in focusing on the processes and products of historical metalwork. I see my roleas part of the continuum of silversmiths and goldsmiths who have made objects for use anddisplay in the realms of both the secular and sacred. It is my intention to understand themethods used by those who have come before me and to develop not only the technical abilitiesrequired to reproduce such Objects but to also generate a formal vocabulary by which myoriginal work might be recognizable to collectors and other interested parties.

I will explore historical examples of traditional silversmithing forms with emphasis on thecommunion cup and Kiddush cup. Research about the formal and ideological histories of theseforms will be undertaken. I will seek out and accumulate a visual collection of historical andcontemporary examples of each of these archetypal forms for use as a personal visualreference archive. Over the course of the semester f will visit public holdings of such objects atmuseums, churches and synagogues.

Through drawings I will further explore a formal vocabulary that may be applied to such a varietyof Objects. I will conduct research into the means by which such objects are generally acquiredby collectors and/or churches. Three initial examples of each object type will thus bedetermined, designed and presented to the class with three being realized as material objectsby the end of the semester. The first of these will be completed in time to be sent out for silverplating and return before the end of the semester.

Consumer materials such as a formal design proposal, informational pamphlet, website designand object documentation will all be created in a professional and informative manner. Detailedtime logs and pricing worksheets will be maintained throughout the semester to provide a basisfor future commission pricing estimates. All studio work (in process and completed) will bedigitally documented. In conjunction with assistance from the UNT legal counsell will develop astandard commission contract for use in future business dealings. Furthermore, research intocontemporary practitioners, related organizations, internship and apprenticeship opportunities,and likely advertising venues will be undertaken ..

Week 1:• Course Introduction: discussion of emphasis choices• Start researching historical examples, formal and ideological historiese Begin to explore formal characteristics with which to identify body of work

Week 2• Research contemporary makers who create related objects• Drawings and maquettes for first project reviewed with instructor

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignAna 1V1. LopezASTU 4150

Week 3 (minimum 30 hours of work completed)" Consumer-friendly professional presentation of six design proposals, classmates

anonymously choose three to be completed

• Begin website designWeek 4

• First piece in process• Research related professional organizations

Weeks 5

• Draft sample commission contract• Research and price silver plating options

Week 6 (minimum 60 hours of work completed)• Present research to class on active member in field and related organizations

Weeks 7• Present first piece for critique

Week 8• Second piece in process• First piece sent for silver plating

Week 9 (minimum 90 hours of work completed)• Develop an informational trifold about commissioning your work

Weeks 10• Research internship or apprenticeship opportunities

Week 11" Present second piece for critique

Week 12 (minimum 120 hours of work completed)

• Third piece in processWeek 13

• Research advertising options and costsWeek 14

• Present third piece for critique" Document all pieces

Week 15 (minimum 150 hours of work completed)• Final Critique of semester's work including plated piece• Presentation of informational tri-fold, website, object images and pricing plan for

commissions• Discussion of how best to proceed in profession

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignJames ThurmanASTU 4150

Sample Semester Proposal: Emphasis #3Multiples Production

.Sample Statement of IntentI am interested in focusing on the utilization of digital fabrication technologies in combinationwith handwork. The digital fabrication technologies will be used both in the creation of tools (forexample: CNC router to create a dieforming die) along with creation of economic multiplecomponents of larger production pieces. The components will be made of acrylic cut out bywww.Ponoko.com. which will then be combined with silver frames and stone settings. Theother production line wi" focus on copper dieformed components from the CNC-created die.The concept driving the design of the work will be appropriation of historic Art Nouveau jewelryand its reinterpretation through digital fabrication. Benchmarking of museum gift shops andsimilar venues will be done to determine appropriate price points and if any comparable body ofworks currently exist. Detailed time logs and pricing worksheets will be maintained throughoutthe semester to confirm that actual pricing is realistic. A" studio work (in process andcompleted) will be digitally documented. Studio production will be augmented by the creation ofa visual design identity (in collaboration with a communication design student), an interview of aprofessional working in the field, completion of a mock interview at Career Services, and thecreation of relevant professional materials (business card, sales packaging, and website).

Week 1: Course' Introduction: discussion of track choicesWeek 2

• Research of target markets; comparable existing work/makers• Contact faculty-recommended professionals for input/advice•• Begin design of production line

Week 3 (minimum 30 hours of work completed)• Critique of first prototype (production cost analysis/pricing included)• Documentation of process and prototype

Weeks4&5• Production of first 10 units• Begin design identity research (collaboration with communication design student)

Week 6 (minimum 60 hours of work completed)•• Critique of first 10 units (production cost analysis/pricing included)•• Documentation of process and all completed work• Report on information from professional contacted• Begin process of placement of pieces for sale to public (gallery or online)

Weeks 7 & 8• Redesign of original prototype or designlfabrication of new prototype• Completion of mock interview at Career Services

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University of North TexasCollege of Visual Arts & DesignJames Thurman .ASTU 4150

Sample Proposed Semester: continued

Week 9 (minimum 90 hours of work completed)(0 Critique of revised or new prototype and design identity (logo, motifs, etc.)e Documentation of process and prototypeto Pieces available for sale to public

Weeks 10 & 11to Production of next production run (quantity to be determined based on design, 5

minimum)(0 Complete first drafts of professional materials utilizing design identity (business card,

sales packaging, website)Week 12 (minimum 120 hours of work completed)

(0 Critique of second production run and professional materialsWeeks 13 & 14

dI Final production run (additional units of previous designs or revised design),. Revision of professional materials

Week 15 (minimum 150 hours of work completed)o Final Critique of a/l production pieces and professional materials•. Documentation of process and all completed work(0 Completion of detailed Time Log and Pricing Worksheets

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